FB: Midwest Conference

[The Roop]

Another interpretation for your 4th rule is:

4. You lose ground in the poll for not being in the OAC.

[Pat Coleman]

What is Monmouth's gaudy ranking based off of? Primarily a close loss at home to Wartburg in last year's playoffs. The playoff win against Aurora is meaningless from a rankings perspective -- look where Aurora is.

Wartburg made Monmouth look good in 2008 by a strong result -- albeit a loss -- at UW-Whitewater in the regional final. Wartburg 2009 made Monmouth 2009 look bad by losing to St. Norbert.

Without much 2009 data to go on here on Sept. 6, I am sure re-evaluating Wartburg caused enough voters to re-evaluate Monmouth. And of course, one has to keep in mind that Monmouth actually gained points from last week.

How could 2009 Wartburg make 2009 Monmouth look bad...they didn't play each other.  Last year's team was last years team.  Wartburg lost a decent amount of starters from 08....Monmouth did not.

It's like you didn't read my whole post. I'll make the key part bigger for you.

Without much 2009 data to go on here on Sept. 6, I am sure re-evaluating Wartburg caused enough voters to re-evaluate Monmouth.

What is a preseason ranking based on, exactly? 2008 results plus a certain amount of guesswork. You don't think guesswork can change, either?

[SNCOLDAD]

Whoa Pat. Easy. I meant it as a joke. Sorry. I fully understand what you were saying. And I agree.

I did not mean to make it sound like I was slamming you or the group that puts out the Top 25.

I fully apologize as that is obviously how it came off.

Totally my fault for stating it the way I did.

[Pat Coleman]

I was really talking to 787, whose post I was quoting. But I think Midwest Conference fans should probably realize that we have ranked conference teams far more realistically than the AFCA poll does.

[SNCOLDAD]

We would all like to think we are in a tough conference. But the realities are we have a team in our conference that got beat by EUREKA!!! 

But seriously, I understand where you are coming from I think. This early in the season you have to look at last years teams. Take into account loss of seniors. Also look at history of rebuilding from that loss. I would love to say that since Wartburg was ranked, and SNC beat them, now SNC should be ranked. It just does not work that way.

Give it time 787. Things will shake out over the next few weeks. Really, does it matter right now if you are ranked 14 or 16 or 25? Not really. Your team has earned respect, but to lead the nation in offense was it? Against a conference that has a team that lost to Eureka?   Let's see what developes. Wartburg may come back real strong and win out. Then what?

Pat, thanks for the clarification.

GO GREEN KNIGHTS

[MWCfan787]

I've got no problem with where Monmouth was in the polls...its still very respectable for a team that hasn't done anything yet.

My whole issue was where they were last week compared to this week considering week 1 results.

Sorry Pat, didn't know people were analyzing their polls that much and forever linking Monmouth to Wartburg.... I can only wish they don't continue to link the Scots with a team that lost 10 starters on defense....and that is 2009 info you can go on.

[The Roop]

I'm sure I'll be in the minority on this one but here's a thought. No football polls until October and no basketball polls until January. This should eliminate previous years speculation in both sports. Until then, don't put too much stock in early season polls.

[MWCfan787]

Well there's always gonna be alot of changes and surprises..that's why they play the games.

I like to have them there though for fun.

[Footballfan99]

Just play football and the rankings will sort themselves out for crying out loud!!!

[The Roop]

Knock it off Footballfan99, you're being too absolute. I'm waffling back and forth to fan the flames of conspiracy. Let the master practice his art. 

[MWCfan787]

Norbie fans:

Who all saw the game?  Who impressed you? Did you notice a difference with the new D coordinator?  Are you worried or excited for the matchup on October 10th in Monmouth?

[peteSNCFan]

Norbie fans:

Who all saw the game?  Who impressed you? Did you notice a difference with the new D coordinator?  Are you worried or excited for the matchup on October 10th in Monmouth?

Defense was the problem with SNC last season.  Hard to tell if it has improved after just one game...giving up over 500 yards of offense to Wartburg.  My guess is the Oct. 10 contest will be a high scoring affair...

[SNCOLDAD]

I had previous reports from others on how the scrimmage looked a week earlier. Taking that and what I saw on Saturday against Wartburg, I am very excited about the season. There is no doubt that the defense is still in a very steep learning curve. Our old coach for the D is a very capable coach as witnessed by a few of the previous teams. I am sure the new D coach is also very capable. But as with any new system it will take a while to sort out the confusion  and get it done right. I believe there were 2 times that there were only 10 men on the D side of the ball. 

But you may want to look at it this way. In spite of some confusion from time to time, we stopped them 4 and out with under 2 minutes to go in the game to get the ball back after fumbling it away. And then in the OT, Wartburg did not score!!  Maybe it is starting to click already. 

I see where someone said Wartburg lost 10 starters on Defense. How many did they lose on Offense? Curious.



GO GREEN KNIGHTS

[Thunderbolt]

I see where someone said Wartburg lost 10 starters on Defense. How many did they lose on Offense? Curious.



GO GREEN KNIGHTS

I believe 4 O-Linemen, both wide outs and the tight end. Plus the punter and kicker. Don't feel to bad for them, they will still be a hand full before the year is over.

[SNCOLDAD]

Sept. 12 
Illinois College at Knox - 1 p.m.  Illinois College
Monmouth at Lawrence - 1 p.m.  Monmouth
Ripon at Lake Forest - 1 p.m.  Ripon, but close Maybe not.
St. Norbert at Grinnell - 1 p.m.  Uh, Umm, Hmmm, Tough Call. SNC Of Course
Carroll at Beloit - 7 p.m.  Carroll should but The Roop has me thinking a little.